A Breath of Snow and Ashes

Outlander, Book 6

By: Diana Gabaldon

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 57 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A worldwide sensation with more than 12 million copies in print, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series has produced #1 best-selling novels and earned a fiercely devoted fan base. Another spellbinding entry in the series, A Breath of Snow and Ashes continues the saga of 18th-century Scotsman Jamie Fraser and his 20th-century, time-traveling wife, Claire. The year is 1772, and the rift between Britain and its American colonies has put a frightening word into the minds of all concerned: revolution. In the backwoods of North Carolina, violence has already reared its ugly head, as cabins have been burned to the ground. To preserve the colony for King George III, the governor pleads with Jamie to bring the people together and restore peace. But Jamie has the privilege, although some might call it a burden, of knowing that war cannot be avoided. Claire has told him that the colonies will unite and rebel, and the result will be independence, with all British loyalists either dead or exiled. And there is an additional problem. Claire has discovered a newspaper clipping from 1776 that tells of Jamie’s death. With its epic scope, historical details, and sweeping romance, A Breath of Snow and Ashes is everything Gabaldon’s fans love and more.

©2005 Diana Gabaldon (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"[A]n enthralling experience." ( Booklist)

Another great listen

Diana has such an imagination! I am a drive time listener and cannot wait for the commute for the next part of the adventure. The descriptions are vivid and the narrator is exceptional. Looking forward to the rest of the story!

My favorite series of all tome

Would you listen to A Breath of Snow and Ashes again? Why?

Yes, I've already listened several times

Who was your favorite character and why?

Claire, as she is the central character in the series

What three words best describe Davina Porter’s performance?

Mostly brilliant, but I have some questions

If you could take any character from A Breath of Snow and Ashes out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Jamie Fraser, because dessert. Wink.

Any additional comments?

I love this, I really do. I've learned more about some facets of history by reading, re reading and listening to this series than I ever did in school. But I have a big question that's nagged me all the way through this audio performance, and that is about the accent given to Wendigo Donner. I love Ms. Porter's mastery of accents and dialects and differentiating characters' manners of speaking. But Donner is described as being of Native American descent and having come from the US. No mention is ever made of him even having visited the UK. So WHY on Earth would he sound like he's from Yorkshire??? A small detail, I know, and who knows if anyone else has ever even picked up on it, but every scene he's in I hear it and it drives me crazy.

A breath worth taking

wonderful book. I love where the story is going. on to an echo in the bone.

Davina is the best!

Davina is wonderful to listen to. I love the different voices and her cadence. She really makes the stories come to life. I commute a long way to work and it gives me something else to listen to when the radio gets old

And they keep getting better!

Would you listen to A Breath of Snow and Ashes again? Why?

This question made me laugh. I am a very slow reader and if it weren't for Audible I would have never gotten through this beast. I can't even think about re-reading it because I want to know the rest of the story so much! However, I probably will revisit Jamie's and Claire's world again many times over.

What did you like best about this story?

Detail, detail, detail! You get to feeling like you are there with the characters. They become family. Besides being amazingly historically accurate, the many adventures, tragedies, and stories are amazing.

Which scene was your favorite?

Nope-can't do it without spoilers!

Who was the most memorable character of A Breath of Snow and Ashes and why?

The regular characters are amazing as always, but I think Tom Christie was maybe the most memorable. He was a tortured soul who lived through so much and kept doing what he felt was honorable to the very end. They don't make people like that anymore.

Any additional comments?

Start with the first book-don't skip around!

Love the story. Love the narrator.

The whole story comes alive when told by Davina Porter. She really does a superb job. I can't wait to start the next book in the series.

Brought to tears

This one did me in! Cheers, tears and anticipation for what's to come! This one kept me on my toes.

Wow! Amazing!

The books continue to amaze me. Davina Porter makes every book a joy listening . Wow!

Love it

Waiting anxiously for the next in the series. Davina Portor is delightful to listen too.

Uncertain future

The American revolution looms before the Frasers. Jamie walks the tight-rope between the crown and freedom, but will soon have to jump, plunging his entire family into war. Many decisions will have to be made, and consequences faced as Jamie’s time-travelling family adjust to life in these harsh times and make the ultimate decision - stay or go?

Every time I close an Outlander novel, I think: what more could these people live through? I am astounded at the extent of Gabaldon’s imagination. Claire and Jamie have lived through every possible adventure, tragedy and joy - and yet I know that Ms Gabaldon will find even more amazing adventures for them in the next book. Never have I felt as invested in the lives of character as I do with the Frasers.

The first part of this installment was charming in it’s descriptions of life in the times. I thoroughly enjoyed the politics and ebb and flow of life on Frasers Ridge. Just when I thought I’d reached a point where the story was starting to slow, Gabaldon threw Claire into a new adventure that Jamie had to rescue her from, and the rest, was a tumultuous race to the end.

There was a wonderful sense of family and the purity of a simple life on Fraser’s ridge. The Mackenzies added depth, variety and freshness to the story, without detracting from Claire and Jamie’s stories. Gabaldon very cleverly played with the questions of morality and predestination once again, with particular use of Roger’s character.

The end was quite a shocker, unravelling the carefully laid foundations of the last few novels. I feel as though I’ve been thrown back into the beginning with Claire and Jamie - and I’m excited to find out what they are going to make of their new and uncertain future.

Once again, I LOVED the narration!